CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
DREW
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Gemma sleeps on the flight home, which gives me time to watch her while I’m pretending to work on my laptop.
Robin and Theo seem to be unaware of anything going on between us, which is a fucking miracle. They’re not stupid. Perhaps they are smart enough to keep any indication that they do know to themselves.
Or I’m so distracted by her I haven’t noticed.
Jesus.
Probably.
I woke at six in the morning with Gemma’s head on my biceps and my face inches from hers. I spent five long minutes watching her, trying to think of just one single thing in this world that was more beautiful than her.
The Niagara Falls?
Nope.
White Cliffs of Dover?
Fuck no.
A sunset?
In the end I got pissed off with myself and slid out of bed, used the bathroom, tugged on my ripped shirt and went to leave.
I couldn’t.
Walking back to her bed, I leaned over and kissed her forehead while Gemma murmured in her sleep.
“See you downstairs in an hour, sleepyhead,” I whispered.
Her eyes fluttered. “K. Bye.”
Smiling, I left her room and took the elevator up to the penthouse. We all met in the lobby for breakfast and then climbed into the black SUV, which took us to the private airport.
It was only when we were climbing the stairs to board the jet that Gemma turned to me and said, “I’ll take care of things today when we get to New York.”
The lack of condom.
“Thank you.”
If she was after an apology, she wasn’t getting one. It had felt fucking incredible—more than incredible—and I’d do it again if she let me.
I can’t keep my eyes off her.
I love having her on board my jet, seeing her snoozing peacefully with my suit jacket laying over her.
Yes, I could have used a blanket, but I didn’t. Even when the flight attendant stopped and said, “Shall I—”
“It’s fine.” I shook my head.
“Are you sure, I—”
“No.”
Her little smile and how she glanced between Gemma and I was stupid. I ignored it.
It’s nice to have someone to care for.
Just for a few hours.
I’m giving myself this moment to revel in her perfection, and then when we land, she will go home to her daughter, and I’ll probably go to the gym or office.
Is she dreaming of her husband?
I grit my teeth. I irrationally hate that man despite him no longer existing on this earthly plane. Part of it is Gemma; the other is the information still unfolding. And how I will have to lie to her for however long she is in my life.
I focus on my emails until my phone rings.
A few minutes later, my phone rings.
“Carrington,” I answer quietly, pushing away my laptop to stand and move so I don’t wake sleeping beauty.
My legs could do with stretching.
“Have I caught you at a bad time?” Daniel Dufort asks.
“No, we’re on our way back to New York. Have you got your team with you?”
“Fletcher here.”
“Hunter Dufort. Nice to hear your voice, buddy.”
I grin.
Hunter has visited the Obsidian Club several times over the years, but not since he finally popped the question to his gorgeous fiancée, Addison.
Now, there’s a man I never thought I’d see marry.
“Hunter, buddy. Let’s catch up for a drink when this deal is done.”
“Confident much.” Fletcher laughs.
“I am now that I’ve seen the building.” I lean my arm against one of the leather seats, my back to Gemma. “We’ll be closing down that branch quickly, so if you want my team to draw up a proposal, then we can get that to you in a few days.”
“What are the numbers looking like?” Daniel asks.
“In line with what I know you’ll pay.”
There’s silence as I smirk.
This is the shit I love.
The game. The suspense. The dance back and forth, negotiating and excitement in making a deal. One that will grow my wealth. Money is like Play-Doh to me. I mold it and play.
“I don’t recall giving you a figure,” Daniel mutters, and I chuckle silently.
“It’s my job to know this stuff, Daniel, you know that. In any case the building is going on the market. You can take a look at the information we send and make an offer or wait for us to advertise and then compete.”
“We’re not fucking doing that,” Daniel growls.
As I knew he would.
It’s why I mentioned it.
He knows by waiting or playing games I’ll find someone else in a matter of hours or days. I’m too well-connected as the go-to guy in this town for people seeking a good price on quality things.
Especially real estate.
Companies, or rather their executives, often over-extend themselves during a growth period and invest in property. Then they struggle to pay the mortgage.
It’s one reason Open Leaf has struggled.
One of them.
“We’ll find an agreeable number,” I tell Daniel. “I’m selling the building, and you want prime real estate in downtown Chicago. It’s a win-win. Expect something by tomorrow.”
I glance at Robin, and he nods.
“Thanks, Drew.”
The call ends, and I have a quick conversation with both Robin and Theo, then turn to find Gemma still asleep. While on my feet, I head to the rear of the aircraft to use the bathroom.
We should land in just under an hour.